His father died in Gateshead, Durham in 1890. When Frank appears on the 1891 census he is living with his paternal grandparents Thomas and Eliza Randall at an unspecified address in Chickerell, Dorset. His brother Albert is listed with his maternal uncle and aunt, Henry and Amelia Poyner in Gateshead. His mother and two sisters are listed as living at another unspecified address in Chickerell, his mother now dressmaking to support her family.

On 7 August 1000 Frank, aged 17 (although he claimed to be 20) joined the Royal Navy, first aboard the Magnificent. He appeared aboard the vessel, then docked in Gibraltar on the 1901 census. At the same time his mother, now a housekeeper, and his sisters were listed as living at the home of a Mr Thomas Bell at "Mia-Mia," Weymouth, Dorset. His mother was remarried in 1902 but what became of her is uncertain.

Frank continued his naval career aboard the Vivid and Victory, curtailing his career aboard the Boscawen I on 11 February 1904 after being invalided. Of very good character, he stood at 5' 4" and had light brown hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion. He later joined the merchant service.

Frank was married in Weymouth in late 1907 to Martha Sheppard (b. 31 December 1886 in Weymouth) and the couple settled in Southampton, having two daughters: Stella Mabel (b. 1908) and Eileen May Learmouth (b. 1910). They appear as a family on the 1911 census whilst living at 46 Osborne Road, Portswood, Southampton and Frank was described as a steward in the Mercantile Marine.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, Frank gave his address as 182 Empress Road, (Southampton). His last ship had been the Oceanic. As a second class steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.

Randall died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified. The following death notice appeared in the Hampshire Independent (unknown date):

His widow Martha never remarried. In later years she lived in Bournemouth and died there in 1977 aged 90. Both his daughters were never married and both lived in Poole, Dorset. Eileen died in 1970 whilst Stella died on 4 March 1995.